Most of us view difficulty as something to endure and move past. Miriam Millhauser Castle, founder of the Inner Torah process, teaches that pain, disappointment, and unfulfilled dreams are all ways that Hashem communicates with us.

Open the gates, at the time when the gates are closing… And as the sun slowly began to set, each member of the shul searched their soul as a last attempt to attain the gift of life.
A short fiction story in Family First's special "Before the Gates Close" theme section.

It was always his reply when they wanted him to do something Jewish — pray in shul, make a kosher wedding. “No, rabbi, I won’t. You see, I’m a Neilah Jew.” He refused to elaborate and he refused to budge. A short fiction story in Family First's special "Before the Gates Close" theme section.

She wore a black leather jacket and tight jeans; her hair was cut fashionably short. With knees crossed, arms folded over her chest, and a tough, hardened expression on her olive-skinned face, I couldn’t figure out what she was doing here. She glared at me. I glared right back. It was love at first sight... A short fiction story in Family First's special "Before the Gates Close" theme section.

The first time I saw her, I was captivated. She embodied everything that had drawn me to camp. Her popularity, her ease with others, the very life she exuded — this was why I had flown hours away from home for a month of camp. To be with girls like her. This piece, which is part of Family First's special "Before the Gates Close" theme section, is based on a true story.

“I’m giving you twelve hours,” I overhear the consultant tell the registrar, “to investigate the mother’s condition. I’m scheduling the anesthetist for twelve hours’ time to perform a cesarean.” A short non-fiction story in Family First's special "Before the Gates Close" theme section.

Motty hesitated. Smoking, on his porch, on Shabbos? It wasn’t officially against house rules — the only ironclad rule was curfew — but it was painful to see. He went outside. A short fiction story in Family First's special "Before the Gates Close" theme section.